Constitutional Crazy Quilt

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Constitutional Crazy Quilt ©2008 Emily Duffy Photo by Sibila Savage

Dimensions: 90” x 70” x 4”
Description: "Crazy" style quilt sewn with reproductions of the U.S. Constitution, bordered by burgundy velvet, GOP appliquéd patches, and charms of tanks, machine guns, coffins, Christian crosses, and soldiers. It hangs from a gold painted curtain rod. The quilt is backed with burgundy jacquard fabric.
Materials: Parchment paper, fabric, metal, and upholstery tassels.

Today, September 17th, is Constitution Day celebrating the day on which the founding document of our nation's laws was signed 221 years ago. It's a relatively new national holiday (only four years old) but no less important than marking the signing of the Declaration of Independence (July 4th.)

"What began as an American experiment - the first constitution created by the deliberation of elected representatives rather than by the force of a single leader - is now the longest-living constitution in the world." - Source (with a quiz)

Ironic that at this very moment in history we have a President and a Vice President who have done more to dismantle the U.S. Constitution than any other in our short years of nationhood.




















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Constitutional Crazy Quilt Detail ©2008 Emily Duffy Photo by Sibila Savage

"The Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme law of the United States. It provides the framework for the organization of the United States Government. The document defines the three main branches of the government: The legislative branch with a bicameral Congress, an executive branch led by the President, and a judicial branch headed Supreme Court. Besides providing for the organization of these branches, the Constitution carefully outlines which powers each branch may exercise. It also reserves numerous rights for the individual states, thereby establishing the United States' federal system of government.

The United States Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787, by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and later ratified by conventions in each state in the name of "The People"; it has since been amended twenty-seven times, the first ten amendments being known as the Bill of Rights. The Constitution has a central place in United States law and political culture." Source

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Constitutional Crazy Quilt Detail ©2008 Emily Duffy Photo by Sibila Savage

The Democratic Party currently holds a majority in the House of Representatives (only since the 2006 election) which they recovered after more than a decade of corrupt Republican rule. Unfortunately the Senate is still held hostage by right wing radicals with only a 51 to 49 margin held by Democrats and a 2/3 majority required to pass most legislation.

Additionally, George W. Bush has already had the opportunity to appoint two conservative judges to the U.S. Supreme Court. The next president will certainly be required to appoint one, perhaps two more judges. Right now four of the nine Supremes are right wingers (Chief Justice Roberts, Scalia, Thomas, and Alito.) Justices Gingsberg, and Bryer are considered the most liberal with Souter and Stevens (moderates) usually siding with them. Kennedy , generally thought of as a conservative is very often the swing vote in many cases - Source.

















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Constitutional Crazy Quilt Detail ©2008 Emily Duffy Photo by Sibila Savage.

Read the "Contract with America" and see how little of these promises the Republicans have delivered on. In fact for the most part they've delivered the opposite of this pledge they signed back in 1994.


NOTE: You're welcome to share my artwork and comments with anyone you think might appreciate them. But I ask that you give proper credit of these copyrighted works and link them back to this blog. None of this artwork may be used by others for profit of any kind.

Please help spread the link to this blog everywhere you can. This artwork was created for the purpose of making Americans think carefully about the kind of country they want this to be when they vote on November 4, 2008. Do they want a continuation of 8 years of fear, war, division, hate, economic drain, isolationism, and denial of science, climate change, and basic reality? If not, they need to vote for, support, donate to, and cover the back of the Democratic candidate, Barack Obama.